Thursday, July 26, 2012

G'day mates! As I type this, I sit in my brand spanking new craft room, I'm giddy over it. I can't wait until every last thing is in it's place so I can show you!

So, I never shared the super exciting news that I'm currently being featured in my first professional show, at the Bear and Bird Gallery in Florida. I could hardly believe it when I was invited and practically fainted when I first saw the flyer. There are some major names on there. I'm talking huge! Check it...

Now can you see why I'm so starstruck?

This is my piece. (This picture is actually from the gallery's flickr account. Typical me, my hasty last minute photography job turned out terrible.) I started it back when we were visiting Vegas and it took forever to complete. I'm aware that it is not my best work but I am happy with it, overall. I managed to incorporate some nice detailing in the speakers, which I weaved to look more realistic, and the screen glows in the dark!

The wood grain was actually a last minute addition. I wasn't happy with just the tinting and thought it needed a bit more something. I'm glad I added it though, it seems to be the part everyone likes the best. (This photo is from my phone but shows the true coloring a little better.)

I had hoped to complete a few more pieces for the show, but this one took soooo long. Lucky for me, that mean's that I have rad, nerdy, project that's about three quarters of the way done, just waiting to be finished up. Yay! Crossing my fingers that this one sells, that would be so amazing.

Well, that's just one of the many things I've been meaning to share with you guys. Will my new workspace bring me a new burst of creative energy and motivation to blog? Let's hope so. Can't get any worse, right? Bye, off to finish beautifying the new space and give myself a mani-pedi.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Oh hai! Remember me? I used to hang out here all the time. Seriously though, I can't believe I did it again. Time is just cruising by super fast and I can't keep up. Just a flurry of activity around here, so much to talk about.

Hmmm, where were we? Oh yeah, the desk! So I finished it and absolutely love it. It's got me inspired to do the rest of the room, I can't wait until we rearrange (A whole different story.)

So here it is, my beautiful revamped work bench.

Isn't she a beaut?! I want to do a little something special with the drawers but I'm still so in love with it. It's just so cheerful and bright. Exactly what I was going for.

I'm definitely a detail person, can you tell? I had to add a bit of my favorite hobby and embroider the pegboard. Besides details, I'm all about personalization. Bows and vintage buttons?! Yes, please. I've never been a very feminine person, but lately I have this whole new girlie side. Weird. Just in case it's a phase, I didn't want to do anything too permanent. Yarn stitches were a perfect choice. Cute, crafty, and easy to change on a whim!

I used some of my favorite vintage buttons to top off my bows. Some of which I've had since I was a kid. Hitting up antique stores and flea markets with my mom, she'd always let me pick something. Nothing like getting a huge bag filled with tiny treasures- hours of entertainment right there.

The only thing that irks me is that I still need to add another coat. It had solid coverage and I let it dry between coats, but for some reason everything I set on it mars the finish and leaves a mark. Why?! UGH!! Oh well, I keep telling myself, it's just a work bench. Plus, I have more paint to do more coats and paint some shelves, so it's no biggie. I just hate that feeling of redoing something you thought you had nailed the first time.

Anyways, beside a new workspace, that's about to get even better, I've been up to a lot! A new job, commissioned embroidery, and a huge lifestyle change. Just plain craziness. I'll tell the handful of you still reading just as soon as my head stops spinning. Bye!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Since the last thing I posted about was my birthday, I figured I should tell you how freaking amazing it was! I'm seriously such a lucky duck. I got some very special surprises, spent quality time with my honey and got to take my aunt and uncle sightseeing. It was all so much fun, I was smiling for days!

I received the sweetest piece of happy mail from a special lady. Dillon actually made this for her almost twenty years ago! She's carried it as a good luck charm for all of these years and wanted to pass it on to me. I love it.

Then there was fabric. Beautiful, amazing, fabulous fabric. My honey did so well with this. Although, I can honestly say, I will not be brave enough to actually cut it for a while.

Oh, and cocktails! You guys know that I love a good drink. This particular one is "The Dude" an extra special White Russian and the house specialty at Lucky Strike in SF. Easily one of the cooliest bowling alleys that I've ever seen in my life.

Speaking of cocktails, I went to what may be the best bar I will ever go to in my whole life. It was an awesome surprise from my uncle. Leave it to someone from the other side of the country to show you a place practically right in your backyard. I would share some photos, but it was strictly prohibited. It was a speak- easy, you guys! Not only was that the original purpose of the building, but the inside has been completely restored to be accurate to the Prohibition era. Secret rooms, passwords to get in, a 50 page cocktail menu....seriously, I'm literally in love with this place. I really want to have a gangster themed party there as part of our wedding celebrations.

Told you I was a lucky duck! After all that fun, I had to come back to reality and start being productive again. Meaning I finished my workbench make-over. I love it so much and can't wait to show you. Bye, be back soon!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Since it's my birthday tomorrow, I thought I would share with you some of things that would be on my ultimate birthday wish list, most of them being completely ridiculous and unattainable. Hey, a girl is allowed to dream!

I would pretty much die laughing if someone sent me a Sexy Sax Man Sax-o-gram. It would be the best day ever.

Goodness, I really could go on and on- I do a lot of admiring online, he he. However, I will spare you. I'm sure you have enough favorites of your own that you are lusting over. Instead of a bunch of "stuff" for my birthday, I'm looking forward to sprucing up my craft room some more, hanging out with my honey, and showing my visiting Aunt and Uncle a few San Francisco sights. Alright, I'll be honest, and maybe a Sift Cupcake or two. They are an amazing presents all by themselves! I mean, how could they not be?! They did win Cupcake Wars, after all. I'm thinking Pink Champagne and Stud Muffin- YUM!

Bye! I'll probably start the festivities today, even if it is a day early ;) Any fun plans for today?

Saturday, April 21, 2012

How do cats manage to pull such big guilt trips by hardly doing anything at all? On Tuesday, I was continuing with our massive spring cleaning session and cleaned off the tiny cat tower in preparation to give it away. It had gone unused for so long and was just another thing to vacuum all of the time. I set it on the back porch to throw in the car and got back to work. A while later, I cam back to this-

Seriously, Chunk? Fat cat on a little tower. Months untouched and the day I go to get rid of it, he's all about it. At one point, the little girl was even up there with him. I couldn't find my phone though to snap a quick pic, by time I came back with the real camera she was in a huff that I had disturbed their cuddle time. Ugh, this thing! I'm over it. They've gone back to ignoring it, however, my guy won't let me get rid of it. Grrrrrrrr. I'll just wait until he won't notice.

Happy Caturday! I had a great day today. I thrifted some great crafty loot and can't wait to share with you guys. Bye, nighty night!!

Friday, April 20, 2012

This lady is stylin'. Actually, this whole thing is pretty much on-point. From the awesome floral TV trays to the cat decor behind her, she's got it going on. She's even got a flower in her hair-do! I like this lady. I wish I could have been there to see the colors of everything. I bet those trays and her top are super bright. So awesome.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Right now I'm redoing my little craft room. Like actually redoing it, not just cleaning or organizing, but customizing. I can't believe it, I've been wanting to revamp it forever and now it's finally happening. I bought paint and everything, you guys!

Want to see a shameful before picture of my bench? Please prepare yourself for the frightening image you are about to see.

Ackkkkkkkk!!!! It even scares me! No wonder I cant get anything done, it's a hot mess in here. I started to straighten up and figured, why clean up just to move things when I want to paint? Heck, I'll just paint the darned thing now. So that's what I spent some time doing on Tuesday.

After one coat of paint.

I'm going with a turquoise and red look. I love that combination, it's so retro. The drawers on the bench are already red, and so are my wall bins. Plus, I found some super cute fabric to accent the room with. I can't wait to finish this bench! The third and final coat is drying right now. Going to add a cute little surprise to it and things should be back in place by tomorrow. Just in time for my birthday weekend! It's like my present to myself :)

Now it's time for me to go and scratch more things off of my to-do list. I've been getting so much done lately, it's unbelievable. Have a craftastic day, friends!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On Sunday, we were on our way to a birthday party and my dress was driving me crazy! So I threw in a quick stitch to keep the neckline the way I wanted it. I figured that was a better option than my guy's offer to staple it. Although that did result in a laughing fit and a new business proposal, Easy Squeeze Alternations- The quickest alterations in town. You wear 'em, while we repair 'em! (You heard it here first, folks.)

I managed to hide a tiny little stitch in a black part of the pattern and I was good to go. So, yep, this is how I do it. Altering my clothes while I wear them. I'm not sure if I would say this is always a good idea, but it worked out this time.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

An update on the little adventurers. They have been dropped around town and have hopefully found good homes. I really hope that the new owner notifies me or The Toy Society because it's so much fun to hear about their find. If not, I'm not going to get hung up on it. It is what it is, right?

The first one was left at our local supermarket, with Snoopy.

I left the second one at the downtown mall.

I can't wait to make some more toys to drop around town. I have a few ideas in the works and need to draft up some patterns. See you later! Going to eat some food and head back to work...boo!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Hello, Lovelies! Remember when I told you about The Toy Society? Well, I had so much fun with it before that I decided to start making things for it again. I whipped up a quick pattern using some poor man's templates (aka plates) and got to stitching. I was inspired by a cute pillow I saw on instagram but it ended up looking much different.

The one in the front was from the second time around, but I think I like it better. Although I do want to experiment with the kerchief idea more. Just a quick little project, but it gave me lots of practice time with Ol' Bessie. Perfect for smaller pieces of fabric, too. I have a ton of fat quarters that I never do anything with, so I see more of these in my future. I've already prepped some cute little doggie ones!

These little adventurers will be out in the world soon, hopefully finding wonderful forever homes. It's supposed to rain for the next few days though, so I'll have to think long and hard about where I'm going to leave them.

About Me

Hi, my name is Jacquie but you can call me Jackson- everyone does! I'm an East Coast transplant living in Northern California. I enjoy holding hands, baking cookies, and long walks on the beach...who doesn't, right? Let's try again! I think life is best served with art, a huge helping of crafts and topped off with love. If you wrap all of that up in passion you'll be good to go. Besides that I take pleasure in reading, gardening, Mexican food and rugs that really tie the room together.

Contact me!

Do you have a question, comment or rude remark you would like to make directly to me? Please feel free to drop me a line at- MafiosaGrrl(at)aol(.)comI look forward to hearing from you.Thanks and have a craftastic day!